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Dolan family receives heartwarming show of support from area

An outpouring of support, both financial and emotional, was boldly evident at the Tristen Lee Dolan Benefit April 16 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School in Perham.

More than $10,000 was raised for the Dolan family at the dinner and auction event. Nearly 250 attended.

Dolan died as a result of an automobile accident Nov. 9, 2009. Her co-workers at Perham Memorial Home Care, along with family and friends from the Perham area, created a trust fund to assist other families who experience unexpected tragedies. Proceeds from the event were to be divided between the memorial trust fun and a trust fund for Dolan's children's education and childcare expenses.

For Louise Tower, one of Tristen's nurse colleagues at Memorial Home Care, it was a heartwarming experience.

"It was awesome. Everything was donated; there were no out-of-pocket expenses," said Tower, who was very close to Tristen. It was a tight group of three nurses at the office, including Ruth Anderson, noted Tower.

Tristan's friends and classmates came from Rochester, St. Cloud and around the state to support the family.

Husband Patrick is employed with Culligan water systems. His company donated a water softener system that was auctioned for nearly $1,000. Grandma Patty Dolan contributed a homemade quilt, which was auctioned for $215.

In total, there were 126 auction items; and auction services were donated by Bachmann Auctioneering.

In addition there was a silent auction, door prizes, bake and craft sales and bake walk.

Donations can be made to the Dolan Family Trust Fund or the Tristen Lee Dolan Memorial Trust Fund at United Community Banks in Perham or Frazee.

Matching funds were applied for through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Catholic Aid Society, which brought the total proceeds to more than $10,000.

Dolan is survived by her husband Patrick and Children Austin (7), Mason (4), Joshua (2) and Sienna (5 months).